Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 23435 — Suffolk, VA

ZIP code 23435 (Suffolk, City of Suffolk) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost November 15.

Where ZIP 23435 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostMar 27

First frostNov 15

2012 zone8a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Suffolk, VA…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Suffolk, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMarch 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 15median — 10% chance by Nov 2

Growing season233 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 15 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Suffolk Lake Kilby, VA — 11 miles away, elevation 23 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 23435

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Mar 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 20 – Oct 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 1 – Dec 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 27) and first fall frost (Nov 15) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 23435 came on Mar 2 — 13 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 17).

average
Feb 172026
Mar 2

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 8a in Virginia

646 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Virginia, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Suffolk, VA.

Soil in Suffolk, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 23435 is Nansemond — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nansemond fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 23435; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Suffolk, VA

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days27days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights56nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,525base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 41 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 38 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation50.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Suffolk Lake Kilby, VA (11 mi away); precipitation: Suffolk 13.9 Nne, VA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

5 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

234368b

Suffolk, VA · 4 mi

233218a

Chesapeake, VA · 4 mi

Portsmouth, VA · 6 mi

237038b

Portsmouth, VA · 6 mi

237058b

Portsmouth, VA · 7 mi

237078b

Portsmouth, VA · 7 mi

All 8 ZIP codes in Suffolk → · Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 23435

What planting zone is ZIP code 23435?

ZIP code 23435 (Suffolk, VA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Suffolk, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 23435 is March 27; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Suffolk Lake Kilby station.

When is the first frost in Suffolk, VA?

The median first fall frost near 23435 is November 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 233 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 23435?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 30 – Feb 13 and set transplants outside around Apr 3 – Apr 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 23435 get?

About 50.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Suffolk 13.9 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Suffolk, VA?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 27 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 23435 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nansemond at the center of ZIP 23435: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Suffolk, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 23435 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 13 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Suffolk, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 23435 is 14 h 41 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.